FOUR TEAMS ON TOP Large Margins - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 25 May 1942 (original) (raw)

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Mon 25 May 1942 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)
Page 6 - FOUR TEAMS ON TOP Large Margins

Smashing victories by several teams,

and a close call to Essendon, leave

4 teams still undefeated in League

football, the third round of which was

Monaghan (Fitzroy) has been re-

ported on a charge of having used

abusive language lo the umpire, and

on another charge of misconduct.

O'Keefe (Melbourne) has been re-

ported on a charge of having elbowed

Essendon had to change its team,

as Dearie and Bryce (19th) were

detained at work. Silk filled the

vacancy, and Dick Reynolds placed

himself in Dearie's place in the

Carlton did not complete its team

until just before the game. Five

changes were made, McIntyre,

Anderson, Fitzgibbon (Brunswick),

Collins (Coburg), Bennett, replacing

McInnes, W. Atkinson, Green, Baird,

and Howell. Chitty was placed in

the centre, but was not happy there.

He may not be able to get leave to

play this week. Collins apparently

had not recovered from the ankle

injury that compelled him to with-

draw from the team on the previous

Saturday. After half-time he went

from full forward to centre half-

forward, changing places with

Richmond supporters provided 5

trophies for best players, and a

special one for Joe Reilly, 19th man,

for his fine club spirit. Edwards has

a severely bruised thigh, but may

be fit for the next match. Before

the game Mr Alex Edmonds, captain

of 1902 premiership team, handed to

the club his premiership medal, and

to perpetuate the memory of Mr

George Beachcroft a former secre-

tary, a mirror for the use of players.

Melbourne, which had some good

players unavailable, had to replace

3 more before the game. Baggott

and Archibald had influenza, and

La Fontaine was unable to get leave.

Three new plajers filled the vacan-

cies. They were Ferguson (recently

cleared by Richmond), who excelled

at centre half-back, Franklin (Sed-

don), who did well in the centre, and

Bush (St Kilda), who shaped well at

full back. Smith and Wartman, in

addition to the 3 mentioned, may be

fit for Saturday. Ted Cordner may

have his first game for the season,

and Hingston may also be available.

Mueller, who has 2 injured ankles,

Footscray was much heartened by

the form of Houston, who was

awarded a special trophy. Dolphin

and Sampson may be available for

For Hawthorn Albiston could not

play, and Herbert came in. Brain in-

jured his arm, and may have a

broken bone. He was replaced by

Boyle in the second quarter.

Fitzroy has lost the 5 West Aus-

tralians, who returned to Perth last

night. It Is possible that several of

them will return to take another

course at the physical training

school. Fitzroy was satisfied with

the form, but will have to find room

for such plajers as Hearn, Wright,

Denning and Grant, all of whom are

expected to be available on Satur-

day. Wright could not play, and

Ivan Clay took his place, showing

good form, Bunton suffered another

ankle injury, and was replaced in

the second quarter by E. Hill.

At Collingwood Bushbridge hurt his

ankle and was replaced by Mears.

Lloyd, St Kilda full-back, hurt his

leg, and was replaced at half-time

by Mudge. He may miss the next

match. However, officials hope that

Fountain, Lowry and J. Kelly will

There is great enthusiasm at South

Melbourne, and the team is playing

particularly well. Collard injured

his leg, and was replaced in the last

Good football in flashes only was

seen at Essendon, where the home

team defeated Carlton by 5 points

after a most exciting finish. A few

minutes before time Carlton was in

front, but Essendon fought back

strongly. Strength in the ruck and

a slightly better defence were chief

points in Essendon's win, but each

team had weaknesses at half-for-

ward, where theie was too great a

tendency to crowd in and lose position.

Generally the kicking lacked direc-

tion, and Carlton, in particular,

usually failed to get in front of op-

Torney, superb in the air and

dominating the ruck, and Dick Rey-

nolds, for his coolness and general

dependability, were best for Essen-

don. Hird, Buttsworth, Ruddell,

Flanagan, and Rawle were best of

the others. For Carlton Gneil shone

at full-back, Fitzgibbon did well on

the wing, and Sanger, Mooring,

Anderson and Bailey also excelled.

Too strong in every department

South Melbourne easily defeated St

Kilda at Carlton. Its attack was

possibly the strong link, as there

is still a slight weakness in defence.

St Kilda has a number of weak-

nesses, and may possibly call on some

Graham (who hurt his thumb in the

second half and may have a broken

bone) was best for South Melbourne,

his marking and ruck work being

brilliant. White, an excellent mark

and kick, earned his 10 goals, while

good support came from Matthews,

Cashin, Harwood, King, Castles, and

Mullenger. Best for St Kilda were

Gray, Butler, Knight, Garvin, Weiss,

Meek, Comerford, and Orger (who is,

however, a little too light for centre

Good combination and strength in

most positions enabled Fitzroy to de-

feat a weakened Melbourne. The los-

ing team, however, has no regrets, and

feels that the team will settle down

to a good one later. It was only in

the last few minutes that Fitzroy,

then 2 goals ahead, raced away to

Monaghan, at centre half-forward

played his best game for Fitzroy. M.

Hughson (centre) was in grand form,

and F. Hughson, Toyne, Oliphant,

Stackpole, Gillespie-Jones, and B.

Calverley all played well. Ferguson,

cleared to Melbourne by Richmond,

played remarkably well at centre

half-back in his first game. He kicks

either foot and marks splendidly.

Emselle, Gibb, Hewson, and Cordner

Good form was shown by Footscray,

which is rarely happy at Hawthorn.

It won comfortably after a game in

which there was much scrambling

play. Hawthorn lacked system, but

some of its moves came from fast

Houston played splendidly at centre

half-forward, and Ware and Olliver

were also in fine form. Thoms, Mor-

rison, and McCankie played their

parts. Bennett, Barker (who were

the only Hawthorn players who could

oppose Ware, Olliver, and Co. in the

air), Angwin, Pavey, Horkings, Burke,

and Ryan were best for Hawthorn.

Greater experience was a factor in

Richmond's overwhelming win over

Collingwood. It held command in

practically every position. The loser

fought well In the early stages, but

fell into error and lacked steadiness,

which Is not surprising when it is

remembered that so many good

Merrett, Smeaton, and Titus were

best for Richmond. Brennan, Ablett,

Hull, Crane, Harris, and Bawden also

excelled. Campbell shone in the

centre for Collingwood, and Galbally

and Burns were best of the others.